England, then waking up in France

Bastogne, Belgiam

Dear Family and Friends,

Barbara says it has been a few years since we have written a family letter. I denied that and told her we wrote one just last month. Besides, we don’t have a family anymore they all moved away. Barbara feels like a free woman and I still haven’t recovered from the empty nest syndrome. It snuck up on me. After 30 years of marriage I woke up one morning with the kids all moved away. I looked over at the redhead in my bed and said, “What was your name again? Tell me about yourself.”

With the majority of our work in the Magic Valley we sold our house in Idaho Falls (that was stressful) and built a house in the country near Burley (that was even more stressful). Now we look back and wonder why anyone lives in Idaho Falls. We grew a garden this past summer and got to eat some of the tomatoes we grew. After all these years I learned that tomatoes turn red on the vine. It is awesome. No more boxes of tomatoes wrapped in newspaper rotting in the basement.

Believe it or not we are still active in Church. Heavenly Father blessed me by calling Barbara to be Relief Society President, giving her something to do other than fussing over me all the time. As all of you know Barbara, she is the perfect president. I told the Bishop to strap himself in but he figured he could handle it. Hahahahaha! I warned him.

I am the ward missionary working with the Spanish Elders. I love it.

Harmony and Aaron have 2 little boys, Jack and Lucas, and a little girl Noelle. They still live in Europe and have done for the past 5 years. Harmony earned her Master’s in something or other but is a stay at home mom. Aaron earned his Master’s in something or other and is keeping his nose to the grind stone. They are the best parents in the world.

Jaxon and Brittany just had #2, Scarlett Rose, a couple weeks ago. Eleanor now has a little sister. I can’t say how proud of Brittany we are. She was on bed rest for about 3 months, and did it. It was a great treat to see Jaxon’s homemaking skills (he has none). However, Jaxon completed his schooling last year with a Master’s in hydrology. He has taken hold of the helm of this floundering ship (our business) and is trying to right it. What a great asset. They live in our ward and we love it. They are the best parents in the world.

Jaimie has the 5 most beautiful girls in the world. The oldest Elsie is 7. The youngest Ada is in nursery at Primary. In the middle are Hallee, Macy, and Jo. Jaimie is keeping her nursing license up but is not working outside the home. Brian is slaving away at the middle school, doing a great job, and teaching the girls how to kill dinner from about 500 yds. They are the best parents in the world.

Dallon and Kristie live in Boise and both are going to school at BSU each majoring in working out at the gym. Kristie is showing off her muscles in a bikini once in a while (taking 2^nd as a rookie) and Dallon just broke the Idaho state record for bench in the less than 182 pound class. He benched 335 lbs. Dallon has taken a break from wearing a beard with sun glasses and traveling around the world silently offing bad guys. We hope he stays home for a while. They are not the best parents in the world. Their damn dog is so spoiled she has a pillow ON their bed.

There you go. We hope Heavenly Father continues to watch over all of you. Go to Church if you don’t and keep going if you do. Do your home teaching or visiting teaching assignment. Pay your tithing. Kill every mouse, rat, gopher or ground squirrel you see. Merry Christmas. BRIAN

BARBARA'S NOTES:

*We really loved Idaho Falls and all the wonderful people there.

*Brian is the perfect person to be Ward Mission Leader. Everyone loves him!

*Harmony's masters  is in Human Relations and Aaron's is in International Relations.

*Our business is doing well, sometimes too busy. We have really been blessed!

*Dallon got out of the military and spent some time contracting. Mom is hoping he's done with that!

*Dallon is majoring in Exercise Physiology preparing to apply for the Physician's Assistant program.

*Dallon's wife, Kristie, is majoring in Exercise Science, working as a personal trainer and doing fitness competitions.

*WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR EACH ONE OF YOU! HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This little guy looks and acts exactly like the wart.

Of course, I found some new friends.

The top 5 are of the pass. It is almost 11,000 ft high and absolutely spectacular. This is where we are going to take the White's and Krupp's when they come next summer. Aaron can hike around there until his legs fall off. The bottom photo is in front of the Grand Teton.